RACE DAY
Getting up wasn't a problem, with waking a little before my
alarm, I slipped out of bed and got dressed and a coffee, with a whisper of good bye to the other half, I snook out of
the house. My friend Lisa and her daughter had agreed to give me a lift as they were coming to support the
runners from the club, which really took the worry out for me.
Before you knew it we were at old Trafford (notwithstanding
the problems with parking) and meeting up with the rest of the members of the
club and those that would be supporting on route, we exchanged hugs of good look to each other and wished each other well out there. With two loo trips and a
baggage drop off later meant I had to jog my way to the start which helped to
warm me up.
The race start was a little chaotic and the pens were not so stringently marshaled like London or Great North Run, but I managed to
find my way in to the middle of blue zone and just in front of me was the guy
who was trying to beat the world record of the fastest marathon dressed as a
beer bottle (note to self must get in front of him before the cameras). I chatted to those around me while they were making announcements
about the front runners and the conditions on route and then we were off…. well
nearly it always takes a while to get over the line (around 2mins which isn't too bad)
The route heads off around the roads of old Trafford now, it wasn't the most inspiring of routes to begin with but it was nice because there
were two switchbacks which meant that you got to look for fellow club runners, which
help to concentrate your mind on something other than the 26 miles ahead of
you. I managed to clock nearly all of my Trentham, the best club
in Trentham, and give them a shout out, the crowd support was really great as well because they didn't have far to go to catch you going past in a couple of places.
Next you head out of Old Trafford and this is when it really
starts, the street still had people on them, but it was a lot quieter and
helped you get your head down and focus on the run. Catie, a fellow cub mate had made loads of
signs for the ladies from the club and did a brilliant job about getting out
along the course which was a nice touch!
The run itself was OK, my plan was to start at
8:30 pace, then in the second half drop down to 8:20 which a target of a
sub 3:45. However it never happened, I started to lose focus it around 8-9 miles into the course, I saw the front
runners coming back towards us. I keep thinking that it was going to be a another short switchback however it seem to
go on for ever, perhaps I should have studied the course before the race ?!?!?
(note to self study course)
The switchback was ALL around Sale! which signals half way and my pace was still good, but I could feel things beginning to slip.
Looking at my stats my pace really fell away at 18 miles and I couldn't seem to
get below 9 minute miles, I seem to be putting in the same effort but it was
not showing in my pace.
Having said that I did managed to pull off an 8:25 between
mile 20 and 21! although it wasn't sustainable, I soon fell back to over 9 minute miles.
But at this point I just wanted
it to be over, my hips decided they had had
enough and started a petition, which was soon signed by my knees and ankles…..
everything below the waist working but mainly to rule and complaining about it
every step of the way.
So I did what most would do, 24 miles in I had a little walk,
but they didn't like that either!! They was simply no pleasing them, so I zipped up the man suit and reasoned that
running would get me to the finish quicker and then I could sit down, everyone
seem to be in agreement with that proposal and we are off again!
The crowds in those too last miles where great and when I happened
across a group of friends spectating it was deafening but real fuel for the
legs and heart and spurred me closer to the line and the finish.
Crossing the finish line, I knew I’d not quite made it sub
3:45, but then again I did get a Personal Best knocking around 55 sec’s off! Which
is great and hopefully I can build on these solid foundations a for my next
marathon in Edinburgh and sub 3:45 will be mine
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